Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Offices.

Denis Naughten

Question:

259 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of offices or institutions under his Department which are open to the public; the number of these accessible to people with disabilities; the plans, if any, there are to ensure all buildings are accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11752/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

Currently within my Department there are 152 buildings which are open to the public. One hundred of these are accessible to people with disabilities. These buildings include local offices, investigators' offices and headquarters buildings which have a public office.

Substantial progress has been made in recent years in improving and upgrading the general standard and access facilities of my Department's offices. This process of upgrading will continue and will include particular emphasis on improving access for people with disabilities.

This upgrading is being systematically undertaken, within the constraints of available technical and financial resources, as part of my Department's building and refurbishment programme. In addition, where refurbishment is neither practical nor appropriate, my Department avails of opportunities, as they arise, to provide accommodation at alternative locations. By the end of 1999, it is envisaged that a further eight buildings will be accessible to people with disabilities. All office upgrades and refurbishment are undertaken in conjunction with the Office of Public Works which ensures compliance with standards regarding access. Where offices are inaccessible to people with disabilities, arrangements can be made to visit such people in their homes.

There are also 71 branch offices of my Department which are operated by branch managers who are employed on a contract basis. Under the terms of the contract they are required to provide suitable accommodation. A recent survey of branch offices revealed that over half did not satisfy the criteria in relation to accessibility for people with disabilities. However, my Department has recently concluded an agreement with the branch managers in relation to their future role and their remuneration. Included in this agreement is the requirement that specific criteria be met in terms of the standard of accommodation provided by the branch manager and in this regard they will be required to make the premises accessible to people with disabilities, within a reasonable period.